***UPDATE*** This thread has now been updated with 2009+ iDrive SETTINGS.. ***

As promised before, I am starting a NEW thread on the optimal EQ settings for the E90's, E92's, I-Drive and Non I-Drive cars. All the settings are more up to date than before and better.

2009+ E92 iDrive SETTINGS:

These settings work very well for E90's with the 2009+ iDrive as well!

100hz -1
200hz 0
500hz +3
1khz +6
2khz -3
5khz +3
10khz +6

BASS 0
TREB +1
FADER 0
S-VOL: Minimum setting
Aux-In Level: NOT APPLICAPLE IN 2009+ iDrive Systems
LOGIC7 Surround: ON
For those who have the IPOD adapter as well.. make sure the IPOD internal EQ is turned off! (This applies to ALL CARS!)

E92 NON I-DRIVE SETTINGS:

Here are the settings and WHY:

80hz -2
200hz 0
500hz +2
1khz +2
2khz -3
5khz -1
10khz +4

BASS +3
TREB +1
FADER +2
S-VOL 1
Aux-In Level 3 (center position)
LOGIC7 = MUSIC
For those who have the IPOD adapter as well.. make sure the IPOD internal EQ is turned off! (This applies to ALL CARS!)

Now as far as LOGIC7 modes... Whether you have I-Drive or not... its a matter of PREFERENCE. The settings posted above, I recommend using LOGIC7 in the MUSIC mode for NON I-Drive vehicles. Why did I say leave it off before, and now I am saying its good to turn on? Well here is the reason: With the FADER set to 0 or biased toward the rear like how some others recommended, you will get that dreaded rear fading issue, where it sounds like the rear's are cutting in and out. First thing is first, sound staging should NEVER be toward the rear of the car. It only crowds the sound and makes certain notes and instruments play very peaky and annoyingly. Listen to some new age classical such as Yanni playing the piano, and you will see exactly what I am trying to say.

If you decide to not use LOGIC7, there is nothing wrong with that. It's merely a matter of preference. Through time and experience with this audio system, I have learned that once dialed in well, the LOGIC7 surround processor actually helps to widen the sound field as if you are in a larger car. This is a very ideal quality! Yes, I do feel that BMW could have done a better job with its LOGIC7 setup (Mercedes does a much better job at it), but this sounds good for what it is.

Well, FINALLY those are the settings for the E90's. Unfortunately, the E90's have it worse than the E92's. The sound staging in the coupes are a lot better, bass focus is more centralized, tighter and stronger due to the way its setup in the car. The settings posted directly above, are the best settings I could come up for the E90's with LOGIC7. The under seat subs in the E90's do not provide the same type of bass as opposed to the E92's and in essence its gives the feeling that the stereo is weaker to its 2-door counterpart.

I hope this simplified thread can help all of you... And as always, if any of you have questions or curious about anything, I will do my best to help you out..

Besides myself, there are a few others I have seen around this part of the forum who are knowledgable in the car audio arena. Technik is one of them that comes to mind..

Just a mini FYI.. for those wanting a thumping heart rattling sound system, don't expect these settings to offer that by any means! The LOGIC7 sound system in our E9x's are not that type of audio system. Its basic layout is more SQ than anything. These settings are a prolonged attempt to offer the most balanced, peak-less and desirable sound possible based on what BMW has left on the table for us.

If you do not listen to your music at moderate to high volumes, feel free to adjust the BASS and TREBLE settings to your liking. Those two parameters are set the way they are because I personally listen to music at moderate to higher volumes. Lower volumes may need some additional compensation, BUT DO NOT TOUCH THE EQ!

As promised before, I am starting a NEW thread on the optimal EQ settings for the E90's, E92's, I-Drive and Non I-Drive cars. All the settings are more up to date than before and better.

E92 NON I-DRIVE SETTINGS:

Here are the settings and WHY:

80hz -2
200hz 0
500hz +2
1khz +2
2khz -3
5khz -1
10khz +4

BASS +3
TREB +1
FADER +2
S-VOL 1
Aux-In Level 3 (center position)
LOGIC7 = MUSIC
For those who have the IPOD adapter as well.. make sure the IPOD internal EQ is turned off! (This applies to ALL CARS!)

Now as far as LOGIC7 modes... Whether you have I-Drive or not... its a matter of PREFERENCE. The settings posted above, I recommend using LOGIC7 in the MUSIC mode for NON I-Drive vehicles. Why did I say leave it off before, and now I am saying its good to turn on? Well here is the reason: With the FADER set to 0 or biased toward the rear like how some others recommended, you will get that dreaded rear fading issue, where it sounds like the rear's are cutting in and out. First thing is first, sound staging should NEVER be toward the rear of the car. It only crowds the sound and makes certain notes and instruments play very peaky and annoyingly. Listen to some new age classical such as Yanni playing the piano, and you will see exactly what I am trying to say.

If you decide to not use LOGIC7, there is nothing wrong with that. It's merely a matter of preference. Through time and experience with this audio system, I have learned that once dialed in well, the LOGIC7 surround processor actually helps to widen the sound field as if you are in a larger car. This is a very ideal quality! Yes, I do feel that BMW could have done a better job with its LOGIC7 setup (Mercedes does a much better job at it), but this sounds good for what it is.

Well, FINALLY those are the settings for the E90's. Unfortunately, the E90's have it worse than the E92's. The sound staging in the coupes are a lot better, bass focus is more centralized, tighter and stronger due to the way its setup in the car. The settings posted directly above, are the best settings I could come up for the E90's with LOGIC7. The under seat subs in the E90's do not provide the same type of bass as opposed to the E92's and in essence its gives the feeling that the stereo is weaker to its 2-door counterpart.

I hope this simplified thread can help all of you... And as always, if any of you have questions or curious about anything, I will do my best to help you out..

Besides myself, there are a few others I have seen around this part of the forum who are knowledgable in the car audio arena. Technik is one of them that comes to mind..

Just a mini FYI.. for those wanting a thumping heart rattling sound system, don't expect these settings to offer that by any means! The LOGIC7 sound system in our E9x's are not that type of audio system. Its basic layout is more SQ than anything. These settings are a prolonged attempt to offer the most balanced, peak-less and desirable sound possible based on what BMW has left on the table for us.

If you do not listen to your music at moderate to high volumes, feel free to adjust the BASS and TREBLE settings to your liking. Those two parameters are set the way they are because I personally listen to music at moderate to higher volumes. Lower volumes may need some additional compensation, BUT DO NOT TOUCH THE EQ!

Again, I hope this helps you guys! Good luck and hopefully enjoy!

--Malek

This is great Malek. Already tested them out (on my E90/with I drive) and they sound really nice. Two quick questions though... When you say +2 on Fader, is that to the Front or the Rear? Also, I can't find an Aux-In Level. I'm guessing that Center position on that is default, but am curious as to where I find that? Thanks a lot. BTW... I'm very surprised (and happy) that Concert Hall was indicated as the correct setting. I'm been using that setting even though most recommendations are to leave it off.

This is great Malek. Already tested them out (on my E90/with I drive) and they sound really nice. Two quick questions though... When you say +2 on Fader, is that to the front or the Rear? Also, I can't find an Aux-In Level. I'm guessing that Center position on that is default, but am curious as to where I find that? Thanks a lot.

+2 on the fader means 2 bars to the front

The Aux-Vol is in the middle position by default, so if you have never touched it, then you can let it be.

The Aux-Vol is in the middle position by default, so if you have never touched it, then you can let it be.

Wow... Fast response... Thanks! I am still curious though as to where the Aux-Vol control is. My car had some test drive miles on it and there were a lot custom things set in the stereo and Navigation. So for peace of mind, I want to check it.

BTW: I cant stand concert hall, so I turned off logic 7. I sit far back so I also put Fader to -1, and I had to crank the bass up real high. Feel to test those settings out if you like your music is missing a punch.

also all these numbers when you say +2, -2, etc they are from the stock setup right? i noticed on the e92 w/ i drive you put logic 7 to concert instead of the original of l7 being off, what was the reason for this is you don't mind me asking?

also for the e92 w/ i drive the bass is to user liking and is changable right?

once again thank you very much for the settings and i will have to try them out when i finish work

Thanks Malek. I've been waiting for your settings for E90 w/I-drive. Question for ya: I got a JL12 sub in my trunk. What do you recommend? Adjust the BASS settings and leave the EQ to what you specified?

Thanks, just tried them out on my e90 non iDrive. Settings sound pretty good but something was off tonight, maybe my ears? .

I am a bit disappointed in the imaging in the car, though. It would seem with the DSP they could have done better than that. I realize the setting is probably a compromise for all passengers, but it would have sure been nice to have a setting for the driver only. I mean in 95% of the time, it is us drivers who want the tunes to sound good, right? So why not have a setting for the driver only?

Anyway, I constantly find myself adjusting the balance to +3 (right) to shift the stage over to the right a bit, but it is still not enough. The image gets stretched that way and the music loses focus. It is a compromise, sigh.

Thanks Malek. I've been waiting for your settings for E90 w/I-drive. Question for ya: I got a JL12 sub in my trunk. What do you recommend? Adjust the BASS settings and leave the EQ to what you specified?

Your situation is very different, and I could imagine most of your lower EQ frequences need adjusting.

You need to play with the aftermarket amps crossover and octave slope and try to make it blend with the factory bass as much as possible.

also all these numbers when you say +2, -2, etc they are from the stock setup right? i noticed on the e92 w/ i drive you put logic 7 to concert instead of the original of l7 being off, what was the reason for this is you don't mind me asking?

also for the e92 w/ i drive the bass is to user liking and is changable right?

once again thank you very much for the settings and i will have to try them out when i finish work

Yes, I the TREB and BASS settings are "user definable" basically. You can adjust those to your liking. Usually people that crank their music higher will need to lower the TREB and BASS settings to prevent overbearing highs and lows, and most importantly, minimize distortion.

Often times I see people with BASS on +10, cranking it all up, speakers distorting like crazy, and they have the audacity to say "that sh** sounds dope huh?!!?!"

I'm running through the e92 with idrive right now as I type. Volume on pretty loud, windows closed.

Starting with Cold Play - Viva La Vida
Fader to +1, too much at +2. I am pretty sensitive to notes at the upper range

The Pussycat Dolls - When I grow up
Sounds pretty good, a bit much with fader to +1 but zero causes the fading issues but I might just need to get used to it

Seether - Rise Above This
Sounds great, Rock'n away! I comparied this to the non logic7 and this is better.

Natasha Bedingfield - Pocketful of sunshine
sounds pretty bad, sound seems to be very lost in front of the dash, very vague. I went back and did back to back comparisons with Natasha Bedingfield and it was just as vague, must have been a low bit quality.

At first I didn't like it but comparing songs back to back, I ended up liking the Logic7 settings better with only +1 on the fader.

I'm running through the e92 with idrive right now as I type. Volume on pretty loud, windows closed.

Starting with Cold Play - Viva La Vida
Fader to +1, too much at +2. I am pretty sensitive to notes at the upper range

The Pussycat Dolls - When I grow up
Sounds pretty good, a bit much with fader to +1 but zero causes the fading issues but I might just need to get used to it

Seether - Rise Above This
Sounds great, Rock'n away! I comparied this to the non logic7 and this is better.

Natasha Bedingfield - Pocketful of sunshine
sounds pretty bad, sound seems to be very lost in front of the dash, very vague. I went back and did back to back comparisons with Natasha Bedingfield and it was just as vague, must have been a low bit quality.

At first I didn't like it but comparing songs back to back, I ended up liking the Logic7 settings better with only +1 on the fader.

Thanks for all the hard work!

I am glad you pointed this out.. FADER is also going to depend on how far back or close the person sits in the car. Fader depending on that, may need to be adjusting a bar either back or forth from the +2 position.